Missed your chance to buy that Comet Caliente convertible from “Joe Dirt” this past weekend? Or perhaps you’re looking for a car like that, but sans the ignominy provenance? Then let’s take a look at this 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente convertible for sale on Hemmings.com, one year removed and a little more formal than the movie car. From the seller’s description:

Triple black convertible. Car is a good looking driver w/automatic trans, 289 V-8. Car rides on Goodyear 195/75R 14s w/excellent tread left. Front end was rebuilt — control arms, springs, etc, and new shocks all around. Since this is our summer-weekend car, very little mileage has been put on these parts. Motor is a little smoky on start-up, runs strong. Trans is just fine, no issues. Car body has been filled here and there; but as you can see it’s pretty straight. Car has a power top with a plastic zippered window. Overall the car has its share of nicks, chips, cuts and so on. Comes with a car cover. It’s a good candidate for a restoration or a sweet driver to tool around in as is.

Larry Huffmansays:

October 10, 2011 9:38 am

casey shainsays:

October 10, 2011 10:41 am

the ’65 Comet was one of the most effective facelifts of the mid ’60s. I long for the days when a manufacturer would so completely change the look of a car the year before a major change was planned. The ’64 and ’65 Comets have completely different front and rear clips, yet the planned ’66 was on a completely different platform. Nowadays we have to be happy with a grille texture change 3 years after the introduction and then live with that for another 4 years before the body is changed.

This triple-black Comet really shows how on top of their game Mercury was in ’65.

Andrew Frankssays:

October 10, 2011 11:40 am

Mr. Shain once again. What is forced upon us is illiterate design with no continuity, nuance, or taste. Part of the reason I am in the Hobby is design of the older cars; and he’s right about the time sequence. New cars are also designed for dumb drivers. If you don’t believe that spend some time in city traffic, or on a Califiornia Freeway.

Greg B.says:

October 10, 2011 1:53 pm

Price seems pretty stiff given the description. Having said that, the pictures look pretty good aside from the unfortunate aftermarket air cleaner. However I can’t get over FoMoCo selling a high-end Merc compact with painted interior door tops instead of upholstery. And while they tend to look good, the idea of a triple black convertible is not all that practical – try sitting in it after it’s been parked with the top down on a sunny day!

October 11, 2011 11:46 pm

Jerry Chasesays:

July 13, 2012 10:01 pm

The “edge” that a mid-60s Comet convet has over the other compact convertibles is a longer-than-average wheelbase: the only ones longer are (surprise!) ’65 – ’67 AMC Ambassadors!

What practical advantage does another 3 or 4 inches in w.b. provide? A bit more rear legroom AND the rear seatback is NOT perfectly vertical as many convertible rear seat backs are: much more comfortable!